Statement on the Reintroduction of the Protecting Jessica Grubb’s Legacy Act

By Blair Childs, Senior Vice President, Public Affairs

Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) have introduced a carefully balanced approach to removing the health information barrier that makes it impossible to truly turn the tide on the opioid epidemic. TheProtecting Jessica Grubb’s Legacy Act will ensure that healthcare providers on the front-line have the information they need to improve treatment for substance use disorders and save lives. At the same time, the legislation maintains patients’ control of their own information and strengthens privacy protections.

42CFR Part 2 is an archaic, harmful law that puts patients at risk, creates disparities in care and undermines today’s new delivery care models that focus on care coordination. The Protecting Jessica Grubb’s Act will address this blind spot, giving healthcare providers a full picture of their patients’ needs and allowing them to target interventions.

We call on Congress to take action now to pass this bill that will save lives in communities across the country.